JP5874219B2 - Bathtub cleaning equipment - Google Patents

Description

  TECHNICAL FIELD The present invention relates to a bathtub cleaning apparatus for automatically cleaning dust or hot water attached to an inner wall surface by spraying cleaning water onto the inner wall surface of the bathtub, and more particularly to storing the cleaning water sprayed into the bathtub. The present invention relates to a technique for rinsing and cleaning in a tank that is collected in a tank and circulated and cleaned using this as cleaning water for bathtub cleaning.

  Conventionally, as a bathtub cleaning device, a predetermined amount of hot water for washing is poured into the bathtub, a detergent is poured into the hot water, and after the washing water is taken out of the bathtub by the operation of the circulation pump, What wash | cleans the inside of a bathtub by injecting from the installed washing nozzle is known (for example, refer patent document 1). In this, it is disclosed that after washing the bathtub, clean hot water from the heat source machine is jetted from the washing nozzle to rinse and wash the inner wall surface of the bathtub. There has also been proposed a bath cleaning apparatus having both a detergent spray nozzle that sprays cleaning water in a buffer tank mixed with detergent into a bathtub and a rinse nozzle that sprays clean water or hot water into the bathtub (for example, Patent Document 2). In this case, before washing the bathtub by jetting from the detergent jet nozzle, pre-washing is performed by spraying clean water or the like from the rinse nozzle into the bathtub, and after washing the bathtub, again from the rinse nozzle to the inside of the bathtub. It has been proposed to perform rinsing by spraying clean water etc.

Japanese Patent No. 2998712 Japanese Patent No. 3160373

  By the way, in order to reduce the amount of water used for washing the bathtub and the amount of detergent used, the washing water sprayed from the washing nozzle into the bathtub for washing the bathtub is not drained as it is. Since then, the development of a circulating cleaning system in which the cleaning water in the water storage tank is supplied to the cleaning nozzle by a circulating pump to perform bath cleaning has been developed. However, if rinsing is performed in such a circulation cleaning system, the dirt in the bathtub is not collected as it is, but is partially collected on the side of the water storage tank. There is a risk of contamination in the collection-side path or intrusion into a circulation pump or the like, leading to malfunction.

  The present invention has been made in view of such circumstances, and an object of the present invention is to collect dirt or dirt in the path on the collection side such as in a water storage tank or the like accompanying the execution of rinsing washing in the circulation washing method. It is an object of the present invention to provide a bathtub cleaning device that can reliably prevent the occurrence of malfunction due to the entry of water.

In order to achieve the above object, in the present invention, the wash water sprayed into the bathtub is collected and stored in the water storage tank, and the wash water in the water storage tank is sucked in by the operation of the circulation pump. The following specific items are provided for a bath cleaning apparatus configured to perform circulation cleaning by supplying the cleaning nozzle to the cleaning nozzle and spraying the cleaning nozzle into the bathtub. That is, a rinse water supply path for rinsing that is connected so that rinse water for rinsing can be supplied to the rinse water supply path, a preliminary rinse cleaning control unit that performs preliminary rinsing before the circulation cleaning is performed, and preliminary rinse cleaning control Means. Then, as the preliminary rinsing cleaning control means, by supplying the rinsing cleaning water from the rinsing cleaning water supply passage, the supplied rinsing cleaning water is passed through the water storage tank to the bathtub side and through the cleaning nozzle. and diverted to the to the bath side, a configuration that simultaneously pre-rinse for both the storage tank and the bath.

When this specific matter is provided , the rinse water supplied for rinsing is supplied from the rinse water supply path for rinsing to the washing water supply path by the preliminary rinse cleaning control means, and the supplied rinse water for washing is divided. It flows to the bathtub side through the water storage tank, and the other flows to the bathtub side through the washing nozzle. As a result, the preliminary rinsing for both the water storage tank and the bathtub is performed at the same time, and the time required for the preliminary rinsing is shortened compared to the case where the preliminary rinsing is performed one by one. The washing water can be reduced.

In addition, in the present invention , the distribution ratio when the rinsing cleaning water supplied from the rinsing cleaning water supply passage is divided into the bathtub side through the water storage tank and the bathtub side through the cleaning nozzle is changed. A distribution control means for switching, and as the preliminary rinsing cleaning control means, a tank rinsing process for executing a preliminary rinsing process mainly for the inside of the bathtub and a tank rinsing for executing a preliminary rinsing process mainly for the inside of the water storage tank and a processing shall be the structure for changing switching the distribution ratio by the distribution control means according to a difference in how these bath rinsing process or tank rinsing process. By doing so, the preliminary rinsing washing control means switches the distribution ratio by the distribution control means, thereby diverting the washing water for rinsing and simultaneously flowing it to both the water storage tank side and the washing nozzle side. In addition, it is possible to change and switch the divided flow rate for each. This allows you to execute the pre-rinsing process was mainly the bathtub by bath rinsing process, so that or to execute the pre-rinsing process was mainly water storage tank by tank rinsing process, that Do can be switched . In addition, in the present invention, when the above-described bath rinsing process and the tank rinsing process are executed by the preliminary rinsing cleaning control means, the tank rinsing process is executed as a final process of the preliminary rinsing cleaning ( Claim 1). By doing in this way, even if dirt such as hair that has been rinsed off from the inner wall surface of the bathtub by the bathtub rinsing process performed so far enters the water storage tank side, the tank rinsing process is finally performed. Thus, at the stage where these are rinsed away and the preliminary rinsing cleaning is completed, the inside of the water storage tank can be surely cleaned. For this reason, it is possible to reliably prevent contamination in the collection-side path such as in a water storage tank or the like due to the execution of rinsing cleaning, or the occurrence of malfunction due to contamination.

In the bathtub cleaning device of the present invention, as a preliminary rinsing cleaning control means in the bathtub cleaning device, the flow rate diverted to the bathtub side through the washing nozzle is more than the flow rate diverted to the bathtub side through the water storage tank in the bathtub rinsing process. On the other hand, at the time of the tank rinsing process, the flow rate diverted to the bathtub side through the water storage tank is changed to the distribution ratio larger than the flow rate diverted to the bathtub side through the washing nozzle. It can be set as a structure (Claim 2 ). By doing in this way, at the time of the bathtub rinsing process, the flow rate diverted to the bathtub side through the washing nozzle is larger than the partial flow rate to the water storage tank side, and the rinsing washing in the bathtub is mainly performed, while the tank rinsing process In this case, the flow rate diverted to the bathtub side through the water storage tank is larger than the flow rate to the washing nozzle side, so that the rinsing cleaning in the water storage tank is mainly performed. Thus, the invention according to claim 1 can be specifically realized.

As the distribution control means, a circulation pump is interposed in a washing water supply path between the water storage tank and the washing nozzle, and the washing water supply path for rinsing is provided to the washing water supply between the circulation pump and the water storage tank. The distribution control means can be configured by a circulation pump by connecting the rinse water for rinsing to the passage. That is, the distribution ratio can be made variable by switching the circulation pump to the operating state during the bath rinsing process and switching the circulation pump to the non-operating state during the tank rinsing process. (Claim 3 ). By adopting such a configuration, it becomes possible to change and change the distribution ratio using an existing circulation pump without newly installing special parts for changing the distribution ratio. The pre-rinse cleaning as described above can be realized while avoiding an increase or the like.

Alternatively, the distribution control means is a distribution that is interposed in a connection part of the rinse water supply path for rinsing with respect to the cleaning water supply path, and changes and switches the distribution ratio in response to a switching control signal from the preliminary rinse cleaning control means. It can also be constituted by a control valve (claim 4 ). By doing so, the distribution control means can reliably change and change the distribution ratio, and the interposition position of the distribution control means can be set for the washing water supply path without any particular restriction. The degree of freedom will increase.

In the second invention, the washing water sprayed into the bathtub is collected and stored in the water storage tank, and the operation of the circulation pump sucks the washing water in the water storage tank and supplies it to the washing nozzle through the washing water supply path. The following specific matters are provided for a bathtub cleaning apparatus configured to perform circulation cleaning by spraying the cleaning nozzle into the bathtub. That is, a rinse water supply path for rinsing that is connected so that rinse water for rinsing can be supplied to the wash water supply path via a three-way switching control valve, and a preliminary rinse cleaning is performed before the circulation cleaning is performed. Preliminary rinsing cleaning control means is provided. Then, as preliminary rinsing cleaning control means, the rinsing water is supplied from the rinsing water supply passage, and the three-way switching control valve is controlled to switch, so that the entire amount of supplied rinsing water is washed. While the bathtub rinsing process that flows to the bathtub side through the nozzle is executed, the tank rinsing process that causes the entire amount of the supplied rinse water to flow to the bathtub side through the water storage tank is finally performed (claim 5 ).

  In the case of the second aspect of the invention, the total amount of the rinsing water supplied from the rinsing cleaning water supply path to the cleaning water supply path is passed through the cleaning nozzle by the switching control of the three-way switching control valve by the preliminary rinsing cleaning control means. The rinsing process is performed by flowing to the bathtub side, and finally the tank rinsing process is performed, so that the entire amount of the rinse water for rinsing flows through the water storage tank to the tub side. For this reason, even if dirt such as hair that has been rinsed off from the inner wall surface of the bathtub by the bathtub rinsing process that has been performed so far enters the water storage tank side, these are rinsed away by the tank rinsing process that is performed last. It becomes possible. As a result, when the preliminary rinsing cleaning is completed, the inside of the water storage tank can be surely cleaned, and dirt or dirt in the collection path such as the inside of the water storage tank accompanying the execution of rinsing cleaning can enter. It is possible to reliably prevent the occurrence of malfunction due to the above.

As described above, according to the bathtub cleaning device of any one of claims 1 to 4 , preliminary rinse cleaning can be performed simultaneously on both the inside of the water storage tank and the inside of the bathtub. Compared with the case of rinsing, it is possible to shorten the time required for the preliminary rinsing and reduce the amount of rinsing water.

In addition, it has a distribution control means that changes and switches the distribution ratio when the washing water for rinsing is divided between the water storage tank side and the washing nozzle side, and the preliminary rinsing washing control means determines whether the bath rinsing process or the tank rinsing process is performed. By changing and switching the distribution ratio according to the distribution control means according to the difference, the rinse water for rinsing can be diverted and flowed to both the water storage tank side and the washing nozzle side at the same time, but the divided flow rate for each can be changed and switched. For this reason, it is possible to perform switching such as performing the preliminary rinsing process mainly in the bathtub by the bathtub rinsing process or performing the preliminary rinsing process mainly in the water storage tank by the tank rinsing process. ing so. Furthermore, by performing the tank rinsing process as the final process of the preliminary rinsing cleaning, dirt such as hair that has been rinsed off from the inner wall surface of the tub by the tub rinsing process that has been performed so far temporarily enters the water storage tank side. Even if it enters, these can be rinsed away by the tank rinsing process to be executed last, and the inside of the water storage tank can be surely cleaned at the stage where the preliminary rinsing cleaning is completed. For this reason, it becomes possible to reliably prevent the occurrence of dirt in the collection-side path such as in the water storage tank or the like due to the execution of the rinse cleaning, or the occurrence of malfunction due to the dirt entering.

According to the second aspect , the partial flow rate to the cleaning nozzle side is made larger than the partial flow rate to the water storage tank side during the bath rinsing process, while the partial flow rate to the water storage tank side is sent to the cleaning nozzle side during the tank rinsing process. By changing and switching the distribution ratio by the distribution control means so that the flow rate is larger than the partial flow rate, the bath rinsing process and the tank rinsing process can be executed specifically and reliably.

According to the third aspect of the present invention, a special part is newly installed for changing and changing the distribution ratio by configuring the distribution control means by a circulation pump interposed at a predetermined position of the rinse cleaning supply path. Accordingly, the distribution ratio can be changed and switched using the existing circulation pump, and the preliminary rinsing cleaning of the present invention can be realized while avoiding the increase in cost and the like.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, the distribution control means is constituted by a distribution control valve, so that the change of the distribution ratio by the distribution control means can be performed reliably, and the position where the distribution control means is disposed is changed to the washing water supply path. However, it can be set without any restrictions, and the degree of freedom of design can be increased.

Moreover, according to the bathtub cleaning apparatus of Claim 5 , in addition to being able to perform preliminary rinsing cleaning both in the bathtub and in the water storage tank, the hair that has been rinsed off from the inner wall surface of the bathtub by the bathtub rinsing process, etc. Even if dirt enters the water storage tank side, these can be rinsed away by the tank rinsing process executed last. As a result, when the preliminary rinsing cleaning is completed, the inside of the water storage tank can be surely cleaned, and dirt in the collection path such as the inside of the water storage tank or the like due to the execution of the rinsing cleaning can enter. It is possible to reliably prevent the occurrence of malfunction due to the above.

It is a mimetic diagram showing the bath system to which the bathtub washing device concerning a 1st embodiment of the present invention is applied. It is a perspective view of the collection | recovery set which consists of a water storage tank of FIG. 1, and a waste_water | drain collection part. It is explanatory drawing shown in the perspective view of the state which cut the collection | recovery set by the AA sectional view of FIG. FIG. 4A is a cross-sectional explanatory view showing a state where the collection set in the state cut along the line AA in FIG. FIG. 4B is a diagram corresponding to FIG. 4A illustrating a flow state at the time of preliminary rinsing cleaning or rinsing cleaning. FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional explanatory view taken along line BB in FIG. 2. It is a flowchart which shows the control which concerns on circulation cleaning. FIG. 2 is a view corresponding to FIG. 1 illustrating a flow state at the time of preliminary rinsing or rinsing. FIG. 8A is a flowchart showing details of the preliminary rinsing process, and FIG. 8B is a flowchart showing details of the rinsing process. It is explanatory drawing which shows the distribution switching condition of the hot water from the hot water supply path at the time of preliminary rinse washing or the rinse washing. It is a schematic diagram which shows the bath system to which the bathtub cleaning apparatus which concerns on 2nd Embodiment of this invention is applied. It is a schematic diagram which shows the bath system to which the bathtub cleaning apparatus which concerns on 3rd Embodiment of this invention is applied.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
<First Embodiment>

  FIG. 1 shows a bath system to which the bathtub cleaning apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention is applied. In the figure, reference numeral 2 is a bathtub installed in a bathroom, 3 is a bathtub cleaning device, 4 is a heat source machine (for example, a hot water heater with a reheating function), and 5 is a controller for controlling the operation of the bathtub cleaning apparatus 3 and the heat source machine 4. It is. The heat source unit 4 supplies hot water or water (hereinafter simply referred to as “hot water”) to the bathtub cleaning device 3 as described later. In addition, FIG. 1 shows the connection of piping etc., and does not specify the up-and-down relationship of the bathtub 2, the heat source machine 4, etc. FIG. In the following description, “washing water” includes not only hot water mixed with detergent but also hot water for pre-washing and rinsing without detergent. First, after briefly explaining the configuration of the heat source unit 4, the bathtub 2 and the bathtub cleaning device 3 will be described.

  As the heat source unit 4, FIG. 1 illustrates a composite heat source unit having a hot water supply function, a reheating function, and the like. The heat source unit 4 receives incoming water such as tap water and supplies hot water heated to a predetermined temperature by heat exchange heating with the combustion heat of the combustion burner 41 in a heat exchanger to various hot water taps 42 such as a kitchen, The recirculation circuit is used to pour hot water into the bathtub 2 for hot water filling, or heated hot water or unheated water is passed through the hot water supply path 43 to the cleaning water supply path 32 of the bathtub cleaning device 3. Or to supply. A filter 44, a flow sensor 45, a supply electromagnetic valve 46, and an edge cut valve set 47 are interposed in the hot water supply path 43 in order from the upstream side, and the downstream end of the hot water supply path 43 is a three-way connection joint (for example, cheese) It is connected to a pipe joint) 39 and joins the cleaning water supply path 32. As the edge cut valve set 47, for example, two edge cut valves are interposed in a state of being sandwiched between a pair of check valves interposed at both upstream and downstream positions of the hot water supply passage 43. . In order to block the heat source device 4 side, which is the primary side, from flowing back from the bathtub 2 side to the heat source device 4 side even if it falls into a low pressure state (negative pressure state) due to a power failure or failure. It is to be intervened. The hot water supply path 43 constitutes a rinse water supply path for rinsing for supplying rinse water for rinsing when performing preliminary rinse cleaning and rinse cleaning described later.

  Each operation such as hot water supply, reheating and hot water filling by the heat source device 4 is realized by operation control by the controller 5 based on setting information such as a set hot water temperature and hot water temperature inputted and set by the kitchen remote controller 51, for example. Further, the cleaning operation by the bathtub cleaning device 3 is realized by the operation control of the circulation pump 35 and the detergent electromagnetic valve 38, which will be described later, based on ON / OFF of the cleaning switch input by the cleaning remote controller 52 and automatic cleaning processing. It has become.

  The bathtub 2 is placed in a bathtub pan (not shown) installed in the bathroom, and a water storage tank 34 to be described later is disposed in a gap between the bathtub pan and the bathtub 2. A circulation adapter 20 is installed in the vicinity of the lowermost end of the side wall of the bathtub 2, an automatic opening / closing drive control type drain plug 22 for opening and closing the drain outlet 21 and a cleaning nozzle 31 to be described later are installed on the bottom wall. On the side flange wall, an opening / closing drive mechanism 23 and a later-described detergent tank 37 are installed. The circulation adapter 20 is connected to a retreating path and a retreating path of the reheating circulation path of the heat source unit 4 so that reheating is possible. Further, the drain plug 22 is configured to open / close (up / down) the drain port 21 upon receiving transmission of the opening / closing driving force from the opening / closing drive mechanism 23, and the open / close driving mechanism 23 has its operating state (drain plug). A drain plug state detection sensor (not shown) for detecting whether 22 is in an open state or a closed state is installed, and the controller 5 controls the opening / closing drive mechanism 23 based on the output signal from this. . When the drain plug 22 is opened after bathing, hot water in the bathtub 2 is discharged from a drainage section 331 of the drainage / collection section 33 described later to a drain pipe (not shown), and then drained from a drain hole of the bathtub pan. Become.

  The bathtub cleaning device 3 is installed for cleaning the inner wall surface of the bathtub 2 or the like. The bathtub cleaning device 3 includes a cleaning nozzle 31 installed on the bottom wall of the bathtub 2, a cleaning water supply path 32 for supplying cleaning water to the cleaning nozzle 31, and drainage attached to the drain outlet 21. The detergent is supplied into the water storage tank 34, the water storage tank 34 whose introduction end is connected to the water recovery part 332 of the drainage / recovery part 33, the circulation pump 35 interposed in the cleaning water supply path 32, and A detergent supply path 36, a detergent tank 37 for storing detergent to be supplied through the detergent supply path 36, and a detergent electromagnetic valve 38 for switching supply / stop of the detergent from the detergent tank 37. The upstream end of the cleaning water supply path 32 is connected to the outlet end portion 342 of the water storage tank 34, and the downstream end is connected to the cleaning nozzle 31. The wash water supply path 32 at a portion between the outlet end 342 of the water storage tank 34 and the circulation pump 35 has a downstream end of the hot water supply path 43 through, for example, a three-way connection joint 39 (for example, a cheese pipe joint). The hot water supply is possible from the heat source unit 4 to the washing water supply path 32 by being connected to join. In addition, a check valve 321 for preventing a back flow from the bathtub 2 side is interposed in the cleaning water supply path 32 at the upstream side position of the cleaning nozzle 31.

  The washing nozzle 31 is installed through the bottom wall of the bathtub 2 so that washing water is ejected from the front end opening (upper surface opening) toward the inner wall surface of the bathtub 2 with a predetermined range. Although only one cleaning nozzle 31 is shown in the figure, two or more cleaning nozzles 31 can be installed in parts other than the bottom wall according to the size of the bathtub 2 or the bathtub to be cleaned. In that case, the second and third cleaning water supply paths may be branched from the cleaning water supply path 32 toward the other cleaning nozzles.

The circulation pump 35 is constituted by, for example, a non-volumetric centrifugal pump, and in a stopped state, communication from the suction side to the discharge side allows passage of hot water. The circulation pump 35 is installed at a position above the bathtub pan and below the flange wall of the bathtub 2 so that drainage in the bathtub pan is not applied. In response to the operation control by the controller 5, the cleaning water and the like in the water storage tank 34 are supplied to the cleaning nozzle 31 by being turned ON / OFF for a predetermined time for the circulation cleaning of the bathtub 2. In addition, the detergent supply path 36 is configured such that a predetermined amount of detergent is supplied from the detergent tank 37 to the water storage tank 34 and is supplied to the internal cleaning water by opening the detergent electromagnetic valve 38 for a predetermined time, for example. Yes. The detergent tank 37 is provided with a float switch for detecting the liquid level of the detergent, and detects that the liquid level has dropped to a predetermined liquid level and outputs it to the controller 5.

Next, a collection set including the drainage / recovery unit 33 and the water storage tank 34 will be described with reference to FIGS. In the collection set, the drainage / collection unit 33 is detachably connected to the introduction end 341 of the water storage tank 34 by means of, for example, a screw or a screw, and is integrated. This collection set is formed in a flat shape by, for example, synthetic resin molding so that the whole can be disposed in the gap between the bathtub 2 and the bathtub pan, except for the joint portion 343 of the outlet end portion 342. Then, a flat drainage / recovery unit 33 is connected to a flat water storage tank 34 having an L shape (see FIG. 2) in a plan view, thereby forming a J shape or a U shape in a plan view. Accordingly, at least the outlet end portion 342 is in the bathtub 2 (see FIG. 2) in a state where the drainage / recovery unit 33 is fastened to the drain port 21 of the bathtub 2 (see FIG. 4) by screwing with the annular stopper 21a. to the outside position of the) supposed to protrude forward, as the upstream end of the wash water supply path 32 (the suction side of the circulation pump 35) is connected to said joint portion 343 at a position outside of the tub 2 It has become.

  The drainage / recovery unit 33 (see FIGS. 3 and 4) is mainly washed from the bathtub 2 with a drainage unit 331 for draining mainly the bathtub water from the bathtub 2 to the outside with respect to the flat main body part 334. Both are provided with a recovery unit 332 for recovering water. The main body 334 is formed with a receiving opening 335 that opens upward, a drain opening 333 that opens forward, and a recovery opening 336 that opens backward, and opens upwardly from the internal space toward the receiving opening 335. A small-diameter cylinder 337. A threaded portion is formed on the inner peripheral surface of the receiving port 335, and a retaining ring 21 a is screwed into the threaded portion from above the draining port 21 (see FIG. 4) and fastened, whereby the receiving port 335 is connected to the draining port 21. The drainage / recovery unit 33 is connected to the bathtub 2 in a state of being communicated.

  The small-diameter cylinder 337 is opened to a predetermined inner peripheral area including the central area in a plan view with respect to the receiving port 335 (drainage port 21), and the partition wall is communicated from the opening of the small-diameter cylinder 337 to the drainage opening 333. The drainage section 331 is configured by being partitioned by On the other hand, the small-diameter cylinder is such that the wash water that has flowed from the edge of the drain port 21 to the outer peripheral side region of the donut between the outer peripheral side of the small-diameter cylinder 337 and the inner peripheral side of the receiving port 335 is guided to the recovery opening 336. The collection portion 332 is configured by partitioning with a partition so that the outer periphery of 337 communicates with the collection opening 336. In other words, if the target is bath water of a certain level, such as drainage after bathing, the water pressure vigorously flows into the drain port 21 and enters the small-diameter cylinder 337 that opens to the inner peripheral side region. Therefore, drainage from the drainage part 331 becomes possible (see solid line arrows in FIGS. 3 and 4A). On the other hand, in the case where the washing water after washing sprayed from the washing nozzle 31 and transferred from the inner wall surface of the bathtub 2 is targeted, it enters the outer peripheral side of the small-diameter tube 337 along the edge of the drain port 21. Thus, the collection by the collection unit 332 is possible (see the dashed-dotted arrows in FIGS. 3 and 4A). Thereby, while using the same one drain outlet 21, the drainage / recovery unit 33 enables both the drainage of the bath water to the outside and the recovery of the wash water to the water storage tank 34. Reference numeral 338 denotes a guide cylinder, and the guide cylinder 338 is formed to pass an operating wire for transmitting an opening / closing driving force from the opening / closing driving mechanism 23 to the drain plug 22.

The water storage tank 34 includes a tubular tank main body 344 bent in an L shape, and an introduction end 341 connected to the drainage / recovery unit 33 is opened on one end side of the tank main body 344 and on the other end side. wash water supply path 32 out end portion 342 of the upstream end (suction side of the circulation pump 35) are connected (see FIG. 1) are formed. The lead-out end portion 342 (see FIG. 5) includes a cylindrical portion 345 that projects by a predetermined amount on both sides in the vertical direction, a bottom lid 346 that detachably closes the lower end opening of the cylindrical portion 345 with a seal packing interposed therebetween, A joint portion 343 inserted into the inside from the upper end opening of the tube portion 345, and a joint tightening lid 347 that removably closes the upper end opening of the tube portion 345 while fixing the flange portion of the joint portion 343 to the tube portion 345. The cleaning water reservoir 348 is partitioned and formed inside the cylindrical portion 345 by being configured and closed by the bottom lid 346 and the joint fastening lid 347.

  The cleaning water reservoir 348 is partitioned so that the cleaning water is stored with the bottom surface level L2 defined by the bottom lid 346 lower than the bottom surface level L1 of the inner bottom surface 344a of the tank body 344 by a predetermined amount. While the capacity of the cleaning water reservoir 348 corresponding to the bottom surface levels L1 to L2 is set to be larger than the amount of spray sprayed from the cleaning nozzle 31 onto the inner wall surface of the bathtub 2, the lower end of the joint 343 The position is set so that the opening 343a is opened at a position near the bottom surface level L2 of the cleaning water reservoir 348. As a result, when the circulation pump 35 is operated by the operation control amount (operation control time) for one wash water injection, the stored amount of the wash water is temporarily higher than the bottom surface level L1 of the tank body 344. Even if it is not, it is ensured that the cleaning water can be jetted from the cleaning nozzle 31 in a state in which the mixing of air is surely prevented with only the cleaning water accumulated in the cleaning water reservoir 348. Will be.

  In the above bathtub cleaning apparatus, after receiving a cleaning command input based on the ON operation of the cleaning switch of the cleaning remote controller 52, etc., the bathtub water in the bathtub 2 is drained or empty bath 2 for bathing. Bathtub cleaning control is executed by the controller 5 at a predetermined timing, such as before filling with hot water, and the bathtub cleaning operation is performed. That is, the controller 5 includes preliminary rinse cleaning control means, circulation cleaning control means, and rinse cleaning control means, and each process of preliminary rinse cleaning, circulation cleaning, and rinse cleaning by these control means is executed. . The bathtub washing operation is executed with the drain plug 22 left open. The outline of the bathtub cleaning operation will be described. First, as shown in FIG. 6, supply of hot water as cleaning water for rinsing from the hot water supply path 43 to the cleaning water supply path 32 is started (step S1). And preliminary rinsing washing is performed for both the inside of the water storage tank 34 (step S2). When the preliminary rinsing cleaning is completed, the supply of hot water from the hot water supply passage 43 is stopped (step S3), and then the detergent electromagnetic valve 38 is opened for a predetermined time so that a predetermined amount of detergent is stored in the water storage tank 34. After the hot water is stored (step S4), circulation cleaning is executed (step S5). In the circulation cleaning, first, the circulation pump 35 is operated at a predetermined low rotation speed and circulated for a predetermined time at a small flow rate, and then the detergent mixing process is performed, and then the circulation pump 35 is operated at a predetermined high rotation speed. By switching and supplying cleaning water from the water storage tank 34 to the cleaning nozzle 31 at a large flow rate, the cleaning water is jetted into the bathtub 2 from the cleaning nozzle 31 to perform the bathtub cleaning process. When this circulating cleaning is completed, hot water is supplied again from the hot water supply path 43 to the cleaning water supply path 32 (step S6), and both the inside of the bathtub 2 and the water storage tank 34 are targeted as described above. Rinsing is performed (step S7). When this rinse cleaning is completed, the hot water supply from the hot water supply path 43 is stopped (step S8), and the process ends.

  In the preliminary rinsing cleaning (step S2) or rinsing cleaning (step S7), the hot water from the hot water supply passage 43 is supplied to the three-way connection joint 39 of the cleaning water supply passage 32 as shown by the thick arrow in FIG. Then, a part of the flow is divided by the three-way connection joint 39, and a part thereof passes through the circulation pump 35 and the check valve 321, flows into the washing nozzle 31 and overflows into the bathtub 2, and the other part flows from the outlet end 342 to the water storage tank. It passes through 34 and backflows to the drainage / recovery part 33 and overflows from the drainage port 21 into the bathtub 2. At this time, in the state where the operation of the circulation pump 35 is stopped in the non-operating (OFF) state, the ratio of the partial flow rate at the position of the three-way connection joint 39 is governed by the passage resistance of the route to the bathtub 2 and the passage resistance. Hot water flows at a larger flow rate (for example, 60%) on the side of the water storage tank 34, which is the smaller side, and on the side of the washing nozzle 31, which is on the side of higher passage resistance due to the presence of the circulation pump 35 and the check valve 321. Hot water flows at a smaller flow rate (for example, 40%). When the circulation pump 35 is operated (ON) from this state, the above situation is reversed by the suction force of the circulation pump 35, and hot water flows only at a smaller flow rate (for example, 40%) on the water storage tank 34 side. The hot water flows on the cleaning nozzle 31 side at a larger flow rate (for example, 60%).

  That is, if hot water is supplied from the hot water supply path 43 to the hot water supply path 32, both the cleaning water supply path 32 and the cleaning nozzle 31 pass through to the bathtub 2, and the water storage tank 34 passes through to the bathtub 2. Hot water for rinsing and cleaning can be made to flow through the path at the same time. If the circulation pump 35 is turned off at that time, the flow rate of the diversion flow is larger than that of the cleaning nozzle 31 with respect to the water storage tank 34 side. On the other hand, when the circulating pump 35 is turned on, the hot water can be flowed at a larger flow rate than the water storage tank 34 side with respect to the cleaning nozzle 31 side. That is, the circulation pump constitutes a distribution control means that can change the distribution ratio of the diversion.

  Then, the hot water for rinsing cleaning that has reached the tub 2 side through any path flows into the drainage part 331 of the drainage / recovery part 33 and is drained from the drainage opening 333. At this time, for example, when hot water is supplied at a larger flow rate to the cleaning nozzle 31 side, the hot water is sprayed from the cleaning nozzle toward the inner wall surface of the bathtub 2 (see the thick arrow in FIG. 7). However, hot water (see the thick arrow in FIG. 4 (b)) that flows back from the side of the recovery section 332 through the water storage tank 34 also reaches the drain port 21 at the same time, though reaching the drain port 21 through the inner wall surface. Therefore, hot water from both sides flows into the small-diameter cylinder 337 of the drainage portion 331 having the lowest resistance, and is drained from the drainage opening 333. On the contrary, even when hot water is supplied at a smaller flow rate to the cleaning nozzle 31 side, hot water flowing back from the water storage tank 34 side is supplied to the drain port 21. Therefore, the drainage from the drainage portion 331 is performed in the same manner as described above, but the flow is slightly different in both cases. That is, in the case where the cleaning nozzle 31 has a large flow rate while the water storage tank 34 side has a small flow rate, dirt (hot water, hair, etc.) adhering to the inner wall surface of the bathtub 2 is discharged from the drain port 21 to the recovery unit. There is a possibility of flowing into the side of 332. On the other hand, in the case where the cleaning nozzle 31 side has a small flow rate and the water storage tank 34 side has a large flow rate, even if dirt in the bathtub 2 flows into the drain port 21, the reverse flow hot water from the recovery unit 332 to the drain port 21 is obtained. Since the flow rate is larger, it is considered that the dirt can be bounced back and surely discharged to the drainage portion 331 side.

  As a specific process in the preliminary rinsing cleaning (step S2) using the above characteristics, as shown in FIG. 8A, hot water supply from the hot water supply path 43 to the cleaning water supply path 32 is performed by a circulation pump 35. Is continued until the bath rinse cleaning time T1 elapses (step S2-1), the supply of the hot water is continued, and the circulation pump 35 is switched to the OFF state to change the tank rinse time T2. A process of waiting for the progress (step S2-2) is executed. In this preliminary rinsing cleaning (step S2), it is essential that the tank rinsing process in step S2-2 is executed as a final process, and the tank rinsing process in step S2-1 is performed as the first process. Is not a requirement. That is, after the tank rinsing process similar to step S2-2 is first performed, the same bath rinsing process as step S2-1 may be performed. Even in this case, step S2- The tank rinsing process 2 is executed to finish the preliminary rinsing cleaning.

  As shown in FIG. 9, the hot water supplied at a flow rate Q from the hot water supply passage 43 is the side of the cleaning nozzle 31 because the circulation pump 35 is turned on by executing the bathtub rinsing process in step S2-1. The flow is diverted at a larger flow rate Qa (for example, 60% of the flow rate Q), while it is diverted to the water storage tank 34 at a smaller flow rate Qb (for example, 40% of the flow rate Q). As a result, rinsing and cleaning are performed by hot water sprayed from the cleaning nozzle 31 toward the inner wall surface of the bathtub 2, while hot water flowing back through the water storage tank 34 and the recovery unit 332 is drained while the water storage tank 34 is filled with hot water. It reaches the mouth 21 and is drained together with the hot and cold water after the rinse in the bathtub 2.

  When the tank rinsing process of step S2-2 as the final process is executed, the circulation pump 35 is turned off, so that the diversion ratio (distribution ratio) is reversed from that of step S2-1, and the cleaning nozzle 31 On the other hand, the flow is diverted at a smaller flow rate Qb (for example, 40% of the flow rate Q), while the water tank 34 is diverted at a larger flow rate Qa (for example, 60% of the flow rate Q). Thereby, even if the dirt rinsed off in the bathtub 2 by the execution of the bathtub rinsing process executed so far temporarily enters the collection unit 332 and the water storage tank 34 side from the drain port 21, the larger flow rate Qa described above. Since the hot water flows back through the water storage tank 34 and the recovery part 332 and reaches the drain port 21, the backflowed hot water can push the dirt back and drain the water from the drain part 331. Then, the hot water supply from the hot water supply path 43 is stopped while the water storage tank 34 is filled with clean hot water, and the preliminary rinsing cleaning is completed.

  After the preliminary rinsing cleaning is completed, the detergent is charged in step S4 (see FIG. 6) into the water storage tank 34 filled with hot water, and circulation cleaning (step S5) is performed. And after this circulation washing | cleaning is complete | finished, a rinse washing | cleaning (step S7, S8) is performed at the end, and all the bathtub washing | cleaning driving | operations are completed. In the rinsing process of step S7, as in the case of the preliminary rinsing process, the hot water supply from the hot water supply path 43 to the cleaning water supply path 32 is performed while the circulation pump 35 is turned on and the bath rinse cleaning time T1. (Step S7-1; see FIG. 8B), the supply of the hot water continues and the circulation pump 35 is switched to the OFF state to wait for the tank rinsing time T2 to elapse. The process (step S7-2) is executed. As a result, as in the case of the preliminary rinsing cleaning process, the dirt or the like rinsed off by the bathtub 2 does not enter the side of the water storage tank 34, and the bathtub 2 and the like including the inside of the water storage tank 34 are cleaned. Can be in a state.

Second Embodiment
FIG. 10 shows a bath system to which a bathtub cleaning apparatus according to a second embodiment of the present invention is applied. The bathtub cleaning device of the second embodiment is provided with a distribution control valve 39a as a distribution control means in place of the three-way connection joint 39 (see FIG. 1) that allows only the merging in the first embodiment. The only difference is that the distribution control valve 39a is controlled instead of the circulation pump 35 in the first embodiment in the preliminary rinse cleaning process and the rinse cleaning process. For this reason, the same components as those in the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals as those in the first embodiment, and redundant descriptions are omitted. Only the differences from the first embodiment will be described below.

  The distribution control valve 39a is a kind of flow rate control valve that can divert in two directions, and is controlled by the controller 5 to supply hot water supplied from the hot water supply passage 43 to the washing nozzle 31 side, Each of the divided flow rates can be divided in a variable distribution ratio while being divided with respect to the tank 34 side. That is, the distribution control valve 39a supplies hot water supplied from the hot water supply passage 43 at a flow rate Q to the water storage tank 34 side at a flow rate Qa or Qb (Qa> Qb; Qa + Qb = Q) on the cleaning nozzle 31 side. The flow rate Qb or Qa can be divided into predetermined distribution ratios (Qa: Qb or Qb: Qa), respectively, and the distribution ratio can be changed. In other words, by the operation control of the controller 5, the distribution ratio can be switched between the Qa: Qb distribution ratio and the Qb: Qa distribution ratio. As for the distribution control valve, regarding the switching of the distribution ratio, either stepwise switching between a plurality of preset distribution ratios, or continuous switching to any distribution ratio based on the control signal, either You may employ | adopt the thing of the structure of. Further, as the distribution control means, a flow rate control valve may be provided in each of the diverted paths, and the pair of flow rate control valves may be configured.

  Each process of preliminary rinse washing (Step S2; refer to Drawing 6) and rinse washing (Step S7) in a 2nd embodiment is performed as follows. That is, as the bathtub rinsing process, the distribution control valve 39a is switched and controlled so that the distribution ratio between the cleaning nozzle 31 side and the water storage tank 34 side is Qa: Qb, and then the hot water supply path 43 to the cleaning water supply path 32. Hot water is supplied until the bath rinsing time T1 elapses (see FIG. 9). Thereby, the hot water supplied from the hot water supply passage 43 at the flow rate Q is diverted to the cleaning nozzle 31 side at a larger flow rate Qa (for example, 60% of the flow rate Q), but is less on the water storage tank 34 side. The flow is divided at a flow rate Qb (for example, 40% of the flow rate Q). Next, as the tank rinsing process, the distribution control valve 39a is switched and controlled so that the distribution ratio becomes Qb: Qa opposite to the above, and the hot water supply from the hot water supply path 43 is continued until the tank rinsing time T2 elapses. Let it continue. As a result, the flow is diverted to a smaller flow rate Qb (for example, 40% of the flow rate Q) on the cleaning nozzle 31 side, while the flow is diverted to a larger amount of flow rate Qa (for example, 60% of the flow rate Q) on the water storage tank 34 side. It will be.

Also in the case of the second embodiment, similarly to the first embodiment, the hot water for rinsing is simultaneously applied to both the bathtub 2 side through the washing nozzle 31 and the bathtub 2 side through the water storage tank 34. The flow rate can be made variable, whereby the same operation and effect as in the first embodiment can be obtained. Also in the case of the second embodiment, the tank rinsing process is executed as a final process in the preliminary rinsing cleaning process or the rinsing cleaning process.
<Third Embodiment>
FIG. 11 shows a bath system to which a bathtub cleaning apparatus according to a third embodiment of the present invention is applied. The bathtub cleaning device of the third embodiment is different only in that a three-way switching control valve 39b is interposed in place of the three-way connection joint 39 (see FIG. 1) that allows only merging in the first embodiment. Accordingly, the only difference is that the switching control is executed for the three-way switching control valve 39b in the preliminary rinsing cleaning process and the rinsing cleaning process. For this reason, the same components as those in the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals as those in the first embodiment, and redundant descriptions are omitted. Only the differences from the first embodiment will be described below.

  That is, the three-way switching control valve 39b is switch-controlled by the controller 5 so that hot water supplied from the hot water supply passage 43 flows to either the cleaning nozzle 31 side or the water storage tank 34 side. Thus, the flow path is switched. And each process of preliminary rinse washing (Step S2; refer to Drawing 6) and rinse washing (Step S7) in this 3rd embodiment is performed as follows. That is, during the bathtub rinsing process, the three-way switching control valve is controlled so that the entire amount of hot water from the hot water supply path 43 flows only toward the washing nozzle 31, while from the hot water supply path 43 during the tank rinsing process. The three-way switching control valve is controlled so that the entire amount of hot water flows only toward the water storage tank 34, and this tank rinsing process is executed as a final process in the preliminary rinsing or rinsing.

  In the case of this third embodiment, even though it is not possible to simultaneously rinse both the bathtub 2 side through the washing nozzle 31 and the bathtub 2 side through the water storage tank 34, the bathtub 2 side and the water storage tank through the washing nozzle 31. The tub 2 side can be rinsed together through 34. Moreover, since the tank rinsing process is performed at the end of the preliminary rinsing process or the rinsing process, even if the dirt rinsed off from the bathtub 2 by the previous bathtub rinsing process has entered the water storage tank 34 side. In the final stage, it can be pushed back to the tub 2 side for drainage. Thereby, not only the inside of the bathtub 2 but the inside of the water storage tank 34 can be rinsed into a clean state.

<Other embodiments>
The present invention is not limited to the first to third embodiments described above, but includes other various embodiments. That is, in each embodiment, in both the pre-rinse cleaning performed before the circulation cleaning and the rinse cleaning performed later, the side of the bathtub 2 through the cleaning nozzle 31 and the side of the bathtub 2 through the water storage tank 34 are used. For each, the technology according to the present invention of rinsing the inside of the bathtub 2 and the inside of the water storage tank 34 at the same time is applied by diverting the hot water as a rinsing water with a variable flow rate and simultaneously flowing it. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the technique according to the present invention may be applied at least in the preliminary rinsing cleaning.

  In each of the first to third embodiments described above, the detergent loading position is not limited to the water storage tank 34, but instead, the downstream end of the detergent supply path 36 is located in the middle of the cleaning water supply path 32. Or may be arranged so as to face the bathtub 2, and the detergent may be thrown into the washing water supply path 32 or thrown into the bathtub 2.

  In the second or third embodiment, the distribution control valve 39a or the three-way switching control valve 39b is interposed in the washing water supply path 32 between the water storage tank 34 and the circulation pump 35. However, the present invention is not limited to this. The distribution control valve 39a or the three-way switching control valve 39b is placed in any position of the cleaning water supply path 32, for example, the cleaning water supply path between the circulation pump 35 and the cleaning nozzle 31 as shown by a one-dot chain line in FIG. 32 may be interposed, and the downstream end of the hot water supply path 43 may be connected to the interposed distribution control valve 39a or the three-way switching control valve 39b to supply hot water. That is, there is no particular restriction on the arrangement, and this can improve the degree of freedom in design.

  Furthermore, in each said embodiment, although the drainage / collection | recovery part 33 is used, if it provides the opening | mouth (hole) for collection | recovery separately from the drainage port 21 in the bathtub 2, it is for the collection | recovery. The water storage tank 34 may be communicated with and connected to the mouth.

2 Bath 3 Bathtub cleaning device 5 Controller (Preliminary rinse cleaning control means)
31 Washing nozzle 32 Washing water supply path 34 Water storage tank 35 Circulation pump (distribution control means)
39a Distribution control valve (distribution control means)
39b Three-way switching control valve 43 Hot water supply path (rinsing water supply path for rinsing)

Claims (5)

The cleaning water sprayed into the bathtub is collected and stored in a water storage tank, and the operation of the circulation pump sucks the cleaning water in the water storage tank and supplies it to the cleaning nozzle through the cleaning water supply path. A bathtub cleaning device configured to perform circulation cleaning by being injected into a bathtub,
A rinse water supply path for rinsing connected to be able to supply rinse water for rinsing to the rinse water supply path;
Before the circulation cleaning is performed, the rinse water for rinsing is supplied from the rinse water supply path for rinsing, so that the supplied rinse water is supplied to the bathtub side through the water storage tank and the bathtub side through the cleaning nozzle. A pre-rinsing control means for diverting the water into both the water tank and pre-rinsing the water tank and the tub at the same time;
A distribution control means for changing and switching a distribution ratio when the rinsing cleaning water supplied from the rinsing cleaning water supply passage is divided into the bathtub side through the water storage tank and the bathtub through the cleaning nozzle; Prepared,
The preliminary rinsing cleaning control means includes a bathtub rinsing process for executing a preliminary rinsing process mainly for the inside of the bathtub, and a tank rinsing process for executing a preliminary rinsing process mainly for the inside of the water storage tank. while being configured to change switching the distribution ratio by the distribution control means according to a difference in whether the processing or tank rinsing process, that is configured to execute the tank rinsing process as a final treatment of the pre-rinse, bath tank cleaning apparatus characterized by. The bathtub cleaning device according to claim 1 ,
The preliminary rinse cleaning control means sets the distribution control means to a distribution ratio in which the flow rate diverted to the bathtub side through the washing nozzle is larger than the flow rate diverted to the bathtub side through the water storage tank during the bath rinsing process. On the other hand, during the tank rinsing process, the distribution control means is changed and switched to a distribution ratio in which the flow rate diverted to the tub side through the water storage tank is larger than the flow rate diverted to the tub side through the washing nozzle. Configured to,
Bathtub cleaning device. The bathtub cleaning device according to claim 1 or 2 ,
The circulation pump is interposed in a washing water supply path between the water storage tank and the washing nozzle, and the rinsing washing water supply path is used for rinsing with respect to the washing water supply path between the circulation pump and the water storage tank. Connected to join the wash water,
The distribution control means is constituted by the circulation pump, and switches the circulation pump to an operating state during the bath rinsing process, and switches the circulation pump to a non-operation state during the tank rinsing process. The ratio is configured to be variable,
Bathtub cleaning device. The bathtub cleaning device according to claim 1 or 2 ,
The distribution control means is provided at a connection portion of the rinsing cleaning water supply path to the cleaning water supply path, and receives a switching control signal from the preliminary rinsing cleaning control means to change and switch the distribution ratio. It is configured,
Bathtub cleaning device. The cleaning water sprayed into the bathtub is collected and stored in a water storage tank, and the operation of the circulation pump sucks the cleaning water in the water storage tank and supplies it to the cleaning nozzle through the cleaning water supply path. A bathtub cleaning device configured to perform circulation cleaning by being injected into a bathtub,
A rinse water supply path for rinsing connected to the rinse water supply path so that rinse water for rinsing can be supplied via a three-way switching control valve;
Before executing the circulation cleaning, the cleaning water is supplied from the rinsing cleaning water supply passage, and the three-way switching control valve is controlled to switch, so that the total amount of the supplied rinsing water is supplied to the cleaning nozzle. A pre-rinse cleaning control means for finally executing a tank rinsing process in which the entire amount of the supplied rinsing water for rinsing flows through the water storage tank to the tub side Bathtub cleaning device characterized by that.

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